Member Spotlight: Carissabhowell

Meet Carissa of Edible Dreams!

Carissa has a wonderful selection of mouth-watering baked goods, oils and herbs, bar mixes, candies, and more.

1. What school do you attend?

I go to the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Tampa, in Florida. I used to attend USF for Music Education and Business, though.

2. What are you currently studying?
I am a Culinary Arts Student--I study Asian, Latin, world, Classical European, American Regional, Baking and Pastry.

3. What types of classes do you get to take? Which one is your favorite, and why?

Oh, boy I have loved most of my classes. I really liked American Regional Cuisine and Classical European. I also have to take lots of business courses and math that I really don't like, but it will help me out in the long run.

4. What do you want to do when you get out of school?

I hope to someday have my own catering business. I think it represents my interests in party planning, cake making, and cooking.

5. What are some of your interests and hobbies?

I absolutely love crafts, and this comes into my packaging. You will notice I hand make a lot of my cards (thank-yous) that I send out with my product! I love cooking, obviously, and being with my friends. I am a bartender, so I love thinking up new mixology. I am just really creative.

6. What is your favorite thing about college so far?

I would have to say that the people that I have met have made new connections, and the friends that I have made.

7. How do you manage your school work and Etsy shop?

I actually have school, work, and my etsy shop. I have to be really organized, and this causes me to be able to manage my time. I don't get that many orders (I want that to change obviously) so I have plenty of time to work and do homework.

8. What is the best advice you can offer to a fellow college student crafter?

Be persistent. It is hard to develop a client base, but I think that making connections, and actually word of mouth is the best way to get your name out there. Send a few discount cards out with each order and tell people to give them to their friends. They will love it.

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Member Spotlight: NeonFAZE

Meet Jocelyn of Neon FAZE!

Jocelyn's shop is filled with quirky and colorful jewelry & accessories. She hopes to add clothing to her shop in the future.

1. What school do you attend?

I am currently studying in a college in Philadelphia, PA.

2. What are you currently studying?
I am studying Graphic Design, but I hope to also study Computer Engineering.

3. What types of classes do you get to take? Which one is your favorite, and why?

I've taken most of the basic courses so far, my favorite, I would have to say is English (amazingly, as much as I HATE writing haha), but the English courses at my school focused on some very interesting topics. However, I would have liked to ditch all the papers I had to do -.- lol.

4. What do you want to do when you get out of school?

I really have no idea, I do however, want to end up in New York City :). I would like to work for a magazine, with a graphic design agency, or perhaps go into computers a little more. I also would like to take some time out to travel and such.

5. What are some of your interests and hobbies?

Well, I love making things lol, anything really, from jewelry, clothes, bags, websites, photography, drawing (well I'm working on that lol) and the works. I also love listening to music, hanging out with friends and going to New York City.

6. What is your favorite thing about college so far?

I have yet to find out, I would completely say something stupid like the food lol. But otherwise, I would say meeting new people, having classes that I'm actually interested in and the like.

7. How do you manage your school work and Etsy shop?

I opened my shop in December while I was on break, so as of now, I have yet to learn :)

8. What is the best advice you can offer to a fellow college student crafter?

My advice would be as others have said, school does come first. It's what your future depends on, however, I presume your future could depend on your DIY business depending on how well you do lol. But for the time being, school does come first. Also if crafting is a relaxing thing to do, you can also craft in-between breaks when you're studying for a test or exam :) And never overwork yourself. If you feel that your craft is taking over, suspend it for a while, get your head cleared and such and then go back to it :)

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Member Spotlight: Blustarfruit

Meet Sarah of Blustarfruit Jewelry!

Sarah makes beautiful silvertone, pearl and crystal earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.

1. What school do you attend?

I'm studying at the Medical University of South Carolina.

2. What are you currently studying?
I am in my second year of Physical Therapy school.

3. What types of classes do you get to take? Which one is your favorite, and why?

I have taken musculoskeletal, pharmacology, exercise, pathophysiology courses, and am currently taking neuromuscular and inpatient care courses. I love everything I've taken so far!

4. What do you want to do when you get out of school?

I've known I wanted to work in Physical Therapy since I was 14, and now I know I want to work with premature infants in the NICU when I'm out of school. I'm so excited to start my career!

5. What are some of your interests and hobbies?

Right now I'm planning my wedding, so that's taking up a lot of my free time! Otherwise I love working out and making jewelry.

6. What is your favorite thing about college so far?

I love the constant learning environment of school.

7. How do you manage your school work and Etsy shop?

I always put studying first. I'll go to the library without my laptop to force myself to study =]

8. What is the best advice you can offer to a fellow college student crafter?

My advice would be to begin your etsy shop during a school break, because you'll have to get over the initial obsession before you have to begin your next semester!

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